Relentless Flame

Chapter 1

Dante entered his seventh bookstore to case since he’d arrived in Portland, Oregon. Smoothing his Armani slacks, he folded himself into the worn reading chair at Cover to Cover Books and fingered the worn chintz fabric. He relaxed, taking in the clusters of scarred wooden chairs around oddly paired tables, several upright upholstered chairs like the one he occupied, and three threadbare loveseats. The smell of old books and wood polish lulled him into a state of nostalgia for quaint shops from his homeland, Sweden. The images almost distracted him from the mission. Almost.

Of course, he could have telephoned each store, but a strange man asking for Jessica Miller might have driven her to ground. That might not even be her name anymore. With what little he knew about her past, he wouldn’t blame her if she tried to disappear.

So he’d been patient and systematic as he performed this different kind of stalk, but a stalk well within his forte. He’d honed his tracking skills over centuries of hunting devious criminals; finding a woman trying to hide in plain sight would take only a fraction of his talent. And time? Who cared how long it took to find her? He had all the time in the world. He was an Indebted—cursed and long-lived. Weeks, months, or years meant nothing to him.

In response to curious glances from customers, he rotated his wrists in his lap to hide the shiny gold cufflinks. He needed to blend into the population, quite a task for such an impossibly sexy man like him, standing at over six and a half feet tall. He didn’t even have to be dressed to impress, come to think of it. Thankfully, modesty was one of his many exceptional traits.

Exceptional traits like killing? Kristus. He forced himself to relax his hand, lest he splinter the arm of the chair like he’d splintered the limbs and heads of criminals for centuries.

Thankfully, the citizens didn’t realize a murderer lounged among them in this genteel business establishment. An Indebted killer. Quite the title to go on a business card. Despite his expertise with his weapon of choice, that godforsaken foot-long knife, truth be told, he’d prefer to have a luscious flicka’s legs wrapped around him any day of the week. Thankfully, he was proficient at both activities.

Clenching his hands into fists, Dante fought the urge to stretch his fingers toward the handle. For 300 years, whenever he killed a vile criminal, he supplied the energy needed to feed his boss, Jerahmeel’s, soul. He’d have to find a criminal soon and satisfy the blade’s hunger, or innocent citizens would begin to attract the weapon’s attention.

A few sideways looks from customers of the female persuasion reminded him that he was, as usual, looking spectacular today. He flexed his shoulders, pleased when several sets of eyelashes batted. Not that he doubted his charm. A particularly luscious blonde and long-legged flicka had casually dropped her card off at his table at a restaurant yesterday. He licked his lips, anticipating a rendezvous this evening. Par for the fantastic course of his unnaturally long life.

Recently, though, his powers of attraction did not satisfy like before. What was missing? He patted his shirt pocket, reassured to feel a heavy bond paper still stored there.

Too bad the thought of a tryst didn’t hold his interest right now. Since when was he indifferent to sex? Since never. Maybe he had fallen ill?

Flipping through the Bedier translation of Tristan and Iseult, one of his favorites, Dante glanced around the store. Despite the modest street entrance, the comfortable bookstore sprawled into a labyrinth of stacks, which enticed him to wander and explore. They even used library ladders here, which added to the shop’s charm and reminded him of bookstores long gone. But that wasn’t why he sat here, near the hissing espresso machine as an aproned worker brewed another cup. It was all about his objective.

Jessica.

And then what?

He’d decide later. Improvisation was one of his strong suits. Well, improvisation, a massive physique, and sexual magnetism, of course.

When a customer entered, the breeze wafted a scent of early fall trees mixed with the coffee and musty books, lulling him into a rare state of calm. He would sit here for hours if necessary.

A diminutive woman appeared at the register and murmured in a low voice to a customer. How had he not seen this worker before? It was as if she’d materialized out of the bookshelves, with a dull, gray sweater that hung off her frame and allowed her to blend into the walls. She kept her movements understated, wary, like a mouse trying to remain undetected. It was this deliberate effort to disappear that caught his attention.

Dante sat up straight when she spoke. Something about her rich intonation that flowed like silk across his face, the smooth sound at odds with her bland appearance, sent a frisson of excitement into his chest. He glanced at her over the top of his book.

Her strawberry blonde hair brushed her shoulders, and freckles dotted a cute button nose. She ducked her head shyly at the customer and bit her lip. When she made eye contact to run the credit card, those soft lips tensed. But then she smiled at a comment from the customer, and her entire face lit up, transforming an average countenance into a radiant one. A jolt of longing froze Dante in place. Where had that emotion come from?

Soulful chestnut eyes behind black frame glasses flitted toward the door. That warm gaze slid over him like she didn’t acknowledge his presence.

Vad i helvete? What the hell? Since when did a woman not stare at him or resist his beauty? It must be because her glasses weren’t calibrated properly. No other explanation made sense.

When the door opened, she startled like a frightened deer and pulled the gray cardigan around her. He tensed, ready to dart over to her. How odd. In his hundreds of years on this Earth, he’d never experienced that strong of an urge to safeguard someone, especially not a woman he hadn’t even properly met.

What would she look like beneath that shapeless sweater? The alabaster skin of her neck was cruelly hidden from his view by the sweater’s modest neckline. Were her curves lush or subtle? Would her breasts fit easily in his hands or did she hide more bounty? Damn it, he couldn’t tell, and that limitation only made him grit his teeth in frustration.

Another customer, a middle-aged man, wandered between Dante and the cashier. No longer able to hide behind the book, Dante craned his neck to continue studying the woman.

Her delicate hands as she worked the register made him wonder how those hands would feel on him. Would they drift like silk against his hard lines and angles? Desire tightened his groin, and he shifted to relieve the unexpected pressure.

How could he be this interested in a woman without her reciprocation? Yet here he sat, responding like a randy schoolboy. Was this the woman he searched for? Or was he just on another of his kvinna hunts, led by his overactive libido?

If this twenty-something woman was Jessica, she stood in stark contrast to her stepfather. Raymond Jackson had been large boned and full of burly cruelty. Sharp rage speared Dante. Ja, if this were Jessica, she wouldn’t have stood a chance against that monster.

When she slipped out from behind the counter, Dante nearly missed the movement. He couldn’t resist following her thin frame, clad in a flowing pale pink skirt, as she floated down the aisles.

She sidled around customers, adroitly melting into the bookshelves to avoid contact. When she took several swift steps, her hips swayed unevenly and one foot scuffed against the hardwood floor.

As she stopped and cocked her head to the side, he dove into the next aisle and grabbed a book at random. Opening it, he flipped through the pages, pretending to study the content.

From a row over, her smooth voice rolled over him as she directed a customer. The soft rustle of her skirt brought back unbidden memories of homespun cloth and whispers of parishioners in his village’s Lutheran church. So strong was the memory that he smelled tallow candles and wood polish. He blinked.

As he heard her walk away, he inhaled the faint scent of coffee, flowers, and book pages.

When he stepped out of his aisle to follow her, she ran into his leg, squeaked, and stumbled. Dante wrapped his hand around her slim upper arm to keep her from falling. Her head didn’t even come to his shoulders, and he fought an overwhelming need to fold her into his arms.

When she tilted her head up, the color drained even more from her pale face, enhancing the delicate freckles over her nose. He devoured the view of her alabaster skin from her cheeks, over her jaw, and down her neck—until that damned sweater impeded his ability to explore further.

She tugged against him again, and when he let go, she darted away like a frightened rabbit, her hands fluttering as though she couldn’t decide where to place them.

Can ... can I help you? Her soft voice, laced with a hint of a quaver, couldn’t have shocked him more if she had yelled.

As her warm espresso gaze darted to him and away, her cheeks reddened beneath the freckles. There, that response was more like it. Now that he stood close enough for her to see him properly, she was clearly overwhelmed by his handsomeness, like every other woman.

"Just browsing the stacks," he said.

He gave his suave words just enough innuendo and mentally patted himself on the back when the red flush crept down her creamy neck. Fullstandig. Perfect.

For someone more than 300 years of age, he still had the goods to impress the ladies.

Did you find something interesting? Her voice cracked as she indicated the book he held. She must be overcome with nerves, so great was her attraction to him.

Oh, yes, I did find something interesting. And some books, too.

Most women batted eyelashes and swooned at this point. In control, in his element, he created a seduction—a work of art. Truly, he was a maestro. She only had to absorb his charm, and then the pump would be primed.

Hmm, well. You’ve picked out an interesting topic. The corner of her pink, moist mouth rose, and those impish brown eyes widened. Her tongue darted out to wet those soft lips.

She most likely imagined his masterful kisses and caresses. Her attraction to him was obvious. He had her. Dante straightened to full impressive stature and stood poised to reel her in.

Until he noticed the book in his hands: The Woman’s Guide to Successful Breastfeeding.

Air whooshed out of him like a rapidly deflating balloon.

He would salvage this one. He was Dante. Women never said no to him.

I, um, like to be well read.

She quirked one fine eyebrow above her glasses rim and wrinkled her nose.

What? Was she poking fun at him? At him? How did his never-fail charm become a train wreck in the space of two breaths? Inconceivable.

Well, then, any other books I can point out for you? Maybe understanding your body during menopause? Or perhaps getting in touch with your inner Earth goddess?

When she didn’t quite hide another grin behind her hand, his jaw clenched.

That comment hit below the belt, but it was well played. Beneath that shy exterior, she had spunk.

He studied the shapeless sweater that hung from thin shoulders. He considered her twinkling eyes hidden behind rectangular lenses. Flecks of gold swirled within the irises, and he swore that a glimmer of interest, replaced by fear, crossed her features. Then she bit her lip and glanced away.

He had to know more. There was something oh-so-tempting about her but also something broken. A mystery. As he replaced the book that had cruelly betrayed him back onto the shelf, he powered up his never-fail megawatt smile and extended a hand.

My name’s Dante.

Hi, Dante.

Her hands remained at her side. He groaned. But all was not lost. Time to go to the next level of seduction. He puffed out his massive pectoral muscles and gave her his best rakish grin. This maneuver always succeeded.

And your name is? He leaned forward, undoubtedly impressing her with his overwhelming masculinity.

Not interested.

A bucket of cold water couldn’t have shocked him more. Did she truly rebuff his advances? Impossible. Had never happened before. She definitely wore deficient glasses.

She turned away, spine stiff. I’m sure it’s mutual.

Off balance, he stammered. I’m not ... no I just—

It’s okay, Dante, she said. Her pronouncement of his name left him with a taste of whipped cream in his own mouth, her voice was so soft and sweet. Please let me know if I can help you with anything else. In the bookstore.

She glanced back and away, but not before he caught the downturn of her mouth. For the space of a split second, he wanted to touch her lips with his, to take away whatever caused that sadness. Vad i helvete? Since when did he desire anything besides his base carnal needs?

With a rustle of cloth and a whiff of flowers, she disappeared into the maze of shelves. Fascinating. Unsettling. If this were Jessica, then he understood her fear. If this were Jessica, he’d have to figure out a gentler, subtler approach.

Gentle? Subtle? Those two words had never inhabited his vocabulary, ever.

What if this weren’t Jessica? Who cared? His curiosity was still piqued. This woman still intrigued him. Something about that sweet mouth, the shy glances behind those practical glasses, the flit of her hands to brush back orange-gold hair captured his interest with laser-sharp focus. At minimum, she would provide some welcome diversion while Dante completed his work here in Portland.

Game on.

His jaded heart actually skipped a beat in anticipation of their next encounter. At that next meeting, he would use a different tactic to weave his web of seduction. He wouldn’t fail.

He’d confirm if this was Jessica Miller and deliver his message. And then what? Once he delivered the message, he’d be persona non grata. Hi, I killed your stepfather, want to hang out? A hell of a pickup line, even for him.

But if that oåkting was the bastard Dante suspected, maybe Jessica’s gratitude would drive her into Dante’s arms. Ah, yes, of course she’d want to repay him for ridding the world of the disgusting Raymond Jackson. And Dante could think of numerous ways for a woman to demonstrate gratitude.

First, though, he really needed to take care of that damned knife lust and go kill a criminal before Dante's mind exploded. The blade pulsed in its hidden sheath on his leg, demanding attention, demanding that he kill again. He hadn’t fed it in a week because he’d been too focused on finding and delivering his message to Jessica. Damn technology. His boss, Jerahmeel, had finally crawled into the cellular age and used text messages to divvy out special assignments these days. For standard kills, all Dante had to do was find a criminal and drive the blade into him, which typically slaked his need.

Speaking of exploding, it had been far too long since he’d had sex. Time to rectify that situation. And finally, if appropriate, he’d try again with his advances on this woman and, of course, succeed. Of course. He was Dante.

Very well. His foreseeable future included espresso, death, sex, and browsing books. Spektakulår.

Chapter 2

In the restroom, Hannah splashed cool water on her heated skin and took a deep breath. Her heart thudded so hard it had to be drilling its way out of her chest. Okay, so the man looked like a windswept, blonde Norse god who moonlighted as a fitness model, and he had attempted some sort of blatant come-on. What was wrong with that?

Everything.

Damn his square jaw and glacier-blue eyes; no man had the right to look that savory. Even his firm lips, meant for sin, which pressed together in frustration when she didn’t give in to his obvious pass—those lips made her wonder what she’d been missing all these years.

She had watched several female customers—and one male—sidle past Dante with a touch on his massive arm, a whisper, or a press of paper into his hand. A wink, accidentally brushing into him, licked lips, tossed hair—he had politely ignored all of the advances.

But then he had looked at her with what appeared to be male interest. In her twenty-four years on this Earth, she’d never encountered someone this handsome and persistent.

Seriously?

She examined her shapeless but neat thrift-store clothing—appropriate for work but no one would accuse her of being a fashionista. Heck, no bumps or curves pushed the fabric in any enticing pattern. Her clothes went straight from her shoulders to the floor.

Guys like Dante did not go for her.

No guys went for her. For the past four years, she’d rejected the few men who had showed even the slightest interest. She refused to allow anyone to come close. Not with her stepfather, Ray, still out there. Not with what he’d done and what she had to hide.

Even now, she jumped at shadows and sounds, paralyzed stupid by fear. But her fear was warranted. One day, if she relaxed her vigilance, Ray would again find her and her brother, Scott. It didn’t matter that she’d changed their names. Jess—no, Hannah, damn it. Flustered as she was by Dante, she had to make a conscious effort to maintain her identity, even in her own mind. In truth, the woman that stared back at her in the mirror was no longer Jessica Miller. Jessica had disappeared four years ago in Philly, never to be seen again.

Didn’t matter that she and Scott had fled from Philly to Portland. Ray was out of jail. And he was pissed.

She reached down to rub the ridge of scar and misshapen bones on her right foot. The sole remained numb, and the top of the foot still ached when the weather changed. Even with surgery, the damage remained. At least bones could be pinned and skin stitched together. Other injuries weren’t as obvious.

Geez. Snap out of the pity party already.

But she couldn’t help herself. She peered into the mirror, trying to imagine what Dante had seen. Brown eyes behind rectangular glasses looked back at her. Freckles splattered across her pale face. Her dull clothing. The weight she’d lost when ... everything happened had never returned to her frame. Four years of fear, of waiting for him to return. She never relaxed her vigilance.

Had it really been four years since she and Scott ran away? How long would it take to have a normal life?

At this rate? Never.

Damn Ray to hell.

Damn her for not being able to move on with her life.

Would she ever have a normal relationship with a man? Logically, she acknowledged that there were good guys out there who could be trusted. Maybe Dante was one of them. Beyond the swagger, she could see ... more. And oddly enough, he didn’t scare her, which was a first. He made her laugh with his attempts at flirting, but for all his massive bulk and impressive height, her reaction to him wasn’t fear. It was interest.

Interest. Now there was a new and terrifying emotion.

What about trusting herself? Problematic. The minefield of her physical wreckage paled in comparison with the emotional damage. Maybe one day she’d get over it, but that wasn’t likely to happen anytime soon.

Past traumas aside, how would she explain her fake last name, attempted murder, and larceny? How would she explain withholding her strange power?

She shook her head. She’d never open up that piece of her life to anyone, would never tell what she and Scott had done to get away from Ray. Better to avoid a serious relationship rather than risk rejection or, even worse, discovery.

Oh yeah, I’ll be going steady with Mr. Gold’s Gym Meets an Archangel by week’s end.

Why try to change her life now? Jobs, a few college courses—she and her brother were finally getting back on track, thanks to their hard work and the ability to keep secrets. Slowly and surely, they were clawing their way back toward a normal life. She had no time to spare on a certain tall, handsome man with ice-blue eyes that danced with humor and suggestiveness and made her heart flutter.

Smoothing her hair and running her hands over her cheeks, she nodded, satisfied that the traitorous blush had finally subsided. She blew out another big breath and let the tension in her shoulders relax. This random encounter with Dante was simply an aberration in her otherwise bland life.

She didn’t need any man. All she wanted was for Ray, or the specter of Ray, to leave her alone forever and let her rebuild her new, safe existence here in Portland. At some point, she’d have to learn to trust herself again and even figure out how to open herself up to others. Not now, but maybe one day.

• • •

Hannah limped along the sidewalk to her dumpy rental at nine that evening. What kind of brother would she see tonight? The younger brother who had driven her across the country to get away from Ray, the brother who faked sinus infections and foot sprains at urgent